The History of Nantucket Noel

from Nantucket Noel 2020 Program

Nantucket Red Ticket Drawing

Since 1973, Nantucketers have come together to celebrate the Annual Christmas Stroll held in the Downtown Historic and Cultural Districts. The founders of Stroll initially created this event as a means of motivating Islanders to shop locally throughout the holidays. The inaugural Stroll lasted three hours and was a great success. Shopkeepers and ‘strollers’ were entertained with holiday lights, music, food and an abundance of holiday sales.

Thrilled with the success of the first Stroll and desirous of continuing to promote the support of local businesses, Nantucket realized the benefit of further developing Christmas Stroll as an annual event, growing it from a three-hour event on one day to a full three-day celebration to ring in the holiday season.

In 1974, the annual tradition of the Lighting of the Christmas Trees launched Stroll weekend and marked the beginning of Nantucket Noel season. The first islander to “flip the switch” was Board of Selectmen Chairman, Charles J. Gardener, illuminating the Downtown Historic District with Christmas trees and holiday cheer, implementing a tradition that, after 47 years, has become a beloved tradition. This has beautifully augmented the pervasively festive ambiance of Main Street and the downtown core, as islanders and visitors shop and ‘Stroll’ throughout town. Adding to the holiday magic, carolers line Main Street, singing yuletide ballads.

THE HISTORY OF NANTUCKET NOEL (CONTINUED)

In 1975, Nantucket Island Chamber of Commerce became the official host of the annual Christmas Stroll event. The Chamber is eternally grateful to Helen Burke, Millie Taylor, Mimi Congdon, and Dorothy Tonkin, members of the former Chamber of Commerce Committee responsible for creating the “First Christmas Shoppers Stroll.” The imaginative inaugural “Shoppers Stroll” event evolved to become a focus of the Nantucket Island Chamber of Commerce’s “Nantucket Noel Season,” but the framework of the weekend has remained true to the seminal vision of these civic leaders. The Season’s events begin with Red Tickets commencing early November. Following Thanksgiving, the Annual Tree Lighting event leads us into Stroll weekend. To further roll out the holiday spirit, the Annual Red Ticket Drawing was introduced in 1984. The Red Ticket Drawing occurs on Christmas Eve, giving island shoppers a chance to win six great cash prizes totaling $10,000 when they shop at participating merchants as a “thank you” for a great holiday season. Nantucket New Year’s brings Nantucket Noel to an enjoyable and nostalgic close.

More than 47 years later, Nantucket’s Christmas Stroll has become the single largest island tradition, expanding over the years to include events such as, Tree Decorating, Storefront Decorating and the Best Christmas Cheer contests. Nantucket Noel now includes the highly anticipated welcoming of Santa Claus to the island. Arriving on Straight Wharf from USCG Brant Point Station, Santa greets scores of children and their families as he makes his way down the dock. Boarding an antique fire truck, Santa rides up Main Street — spreading holiday cheer — to his final destination, where children can sit on Santa’s lap and share their Christmas wishes.

Nantucket Noel, a shop local initiative that includes the Annual Tree Lighting, Annual Christmas Stroll and Red Ticket drawing has taken a slight turn this year. With community safety as the top priority, the Nantucket Island Chamber of Commerce has reimagined its celebration of the holidays this season. The 47th Annual Christmas Stroll has been postponed until 2021 the rest of the Nantucket Noel festivities will occur. From November 27 through December 31, 2020, Nantucket residents and visitors will be able to safely enjoy the magic of the season, both virtually and in person, while shopping local businesses and supporting our community. For the first time in the history of Nantucket Noel, the Annual Tree Lighting will take place on November 27, at 4:30pm virtually. The Annual Red Ticket Drawing on December 24th at 3:00pm will also be live broadcasted. Though this holiday season will look a little different than past years, we encourage all residents and visitors to shop the wonderful sales island-wide and celebrate the holiday spirit of Christmas Strolls past.